"Come on, I'll drive you home. I just need tosay a quick goodbye to Nancy."
They walked side-by-side, in silence. Nancy waslooking bored, standing next to Archie and a bunch of suits who hadto be the colleagues for which this shindig was beingheld.
Nancy looked surprised to see Elizabeth andJack standing side by side. Archie looked a little drunk, and hisirritation showed through. Jack spoke, "Elizabeth's ride seems tohave left a bit early." Her name sounded foreign on his tongue,like it was hard for him to pronounce. "I'm going to give her alift home."
Nancy tried to cover her surprise. "Oh yes, ofcourse. Mitch couldn't find you Elizabeth, but he kind of had hishands full. I cannot believe she was so irresponsible as to getthat inebriated and to leave you as well."
Elizabeth was embarrassed for her friend. "I'msure Mitch'll let Julia have it in the morning. She's going to feelhorrible enough, I'm sure. I don't need to add any moreguilt."
Nancy recovered quickly, wanting to respectElizabeth's poise. "Yes, of course. But how did you two ..." Shetrailed off, looking between Elizabeth and Jack.
Jack jumped in, "I nearly plowed her overcoming out of the bathroom. We got to talking, and I'm guessingthat's why she missed her ride home. This is the least I can do tomake it up to her." Jack leaned in and kissed Nancy on the cheek.She stubbornly stuck her chin up in the air. He then nodded toArchie. "Archie." Archie barely grunted back at him, taking anotherlong drink of his scotch.
They turned around and Jack put his hand on thesmall of Elizabeth's back, steadying her before she traversed themanicured lawn and steering her towards the side driveway. "C'monElizabeth, my car is this way."
As they passed a few people standing anddrinking, Elizabeth finally said, "When we're alone, you can stillcall me Liza, you know."
She was so caught up in Jack's strong gaze andhis warm hand on her bare back that she barely heard the breakingof glass behind her.
CHAPTER TWELVE: June 16,2012
They were silent for the ride home, saveElizabeth's quiet directions. "Turn here." "Next left." "Bearright." She didn't trust herself to say anything more. The tensionin the car was palpable.
When they finally pulled into her driveway,Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to open the door. She just satthere, feeling the supple leather under her bare thighs. Shecrossed her legs nervously, and turned towards Jack. He was leaningback in his seat, a grave expression on his face, staring straightahead.
Softly, Elizabeth said, "Thanks for bringing mehome. I owe you, yet again."
"You don't owe me anything."
She touched his arm, and he turned to look ather. "How can you say that? I owe you my life."
"You got up and walked all by yourself. I justwarmed you up."
Elizabeth swallowed hard. The velvet tone ofhis voice made her uncomfortable. Actually, she was not trulyuncomfortable. She was as turned on as hell, and she was afraid ofwhat she would do. And that thought made heruncomfortable.
"I need to go inside." She started to get outof the BMW.
"Wait!"
Elizabeth turned and leaned back into the opendoor. She waited for him to continue. "Can I see youagain?"
Her heart dropped into her stomach. Oh how shewanted to be able to say yes. "You know I can't, not like youmean."
"I know, I know you're right. I just wish itwasn't so."
"Jack, you pulled me out of the ice, and heldme until my soul thawed. You listened to me and gave me someadvice. Some of which, apparently, was even good. About my hair atleast," she paused, smiling. She shook her head so that her haircascaded down next to her face. He returned her grin. "I will neverbe able to repay you for that time. I will always oweyou."
"You cannot honestly think you still owe meanything?"
"Of course I do. I always will. I'd like to atleast be your friend, but I'm not sure that will work, willit?"
"No, probably not."
"Maybe I'll see you at Archie's next businessthing?" she offered.
"Why then?"
"Don't you work with Archie?"
"Um, no." He seemed perplexed.
"Why were you there then?"
"Nancy invited me."
"Oh, okay. You know, it's a shame that we can'tbe friends. I'd like to be able to catch up with you someday, andhear about your life for a change. You know, you're career and lifeand son, and such."
Jack rested his head back. He stared blanklyahead. Elizabeth was getting uneasy. She started shifting away."Goodbye then Jack. And thanks, again."
"Goodbye Liza. And please don't thank me. Youdon't mean it."
And with that, he started to put the car intoreverse. Elizabeth had no choice but to shut the car door and backaway to avoid being run over. She walked up the driveway, thankfulthat the motion detector light above the garage door illuminatedher way. Somehow, seeing Jack again left her feeling more in thedark than ever.
She walked into the house, paid Isabella, andbid her goodnight. She removed her shoes and carried them up to herroom. She removed her dress, and threw it on her chair. She freedher breasts from the strapless bra, which had grown uncomfortableas her breasts had grown heavy with arousal. She opened a drawerand pulled out one of Peter's t-shirts, yanking it on over herhead. She hoped that her sleep would not be plagued by the impurethoughts that were currently running through her mind.
Sunday morning dawned early, it seemed.Elizabeth was tired, and although she had not drunk that much, shecould not help but feeling a smidge hung over. She wondered howJulia was making out. Probably much, much worse. Luckily, with theschool calendar winding down, today was a free day, which meantElizabeth could be lazy with the kids. After much begging, and thepromise of a new app for the iPad, Teddy brought Elizabeth hercoffee in bed, and then got his sister and himself bowls of cerealfor breakfast while they watched cartoons.
Elizabeth took the time to cruise around on theInternet and play some games on Facebook. She read through statusupdates. Kristy's status puzzled her. "HOLY SHIT!!! IT'S ALWAYS
